Defense gives these Giants a chance to be special

By Bob Glauber, Newsday

Published 7:38 pm, Sunday, September 13, 2009

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The story line dominating the New York Giants' preseason was whether they had the receivers to carry on with life after Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer. But this season will not be all about what happens without the two longtime receivers.

It will be about what it always is about around here.

"Same way it was during our Super Bowl year," defensive end Justin Tuck said.

"How does that saying go? 'Offense wins games and packs stadiums, but defense wins championships.' That's just how we like it, with all the pressure on us."

Eli Manning and his retooled stable of receivers did a solid job in Sunday's 23-17 win over the Redskins. But it was the defense that proved the deciding factor in the first of a two-game NFC East swing to start the season.

Up next: the Cowboys in Big D.

"We have the personnel to be a dominant defense, to take over a football game at times," said Tuck, who had five tackles and 1½ sacks.

And that's what happened. With the Giants leading 10-0 late in the first half, the Redskins' Jason Campbell dropped back to pass and looked downfield. At the same time, Osi Umenyiora fended off left tackle Chris Samuels, who was holding the end as he swooped to the outside. Umenyiora got around the edge, batted the ball out of Campbell's hands and picked it up. He sprinted untouched 37 yards into the end zone.

For Umenyiora, who missed last season with a knee injury, it was the signature moment of the Giants' first step in what they believe can be a championship season. "It was unbelievable," Umenyiora said.

But not unexpected. The Giants have what might be the best defensive line in the game. And think how much better it will be when newly acquired Chris Canty and Rocky Bernard, both of whom were hurt in preseason, are back in football shape.

Don't forget, too, that the Giants will get weak-side linebacker Michael Boley back next week after a suspension for violating the NFL's personal-conduct policy.

Want more? There is. Rookie Clint Sintim, who showed promise in preseason, should return soon from a groin injury. And cornerbacks Aaron Ross and Kevin Dockery were out Sunday with hamstring problems.

Undrafted rookie free agent Bruce Johnson did a heck of a job, given the circumstances.

"Honestly, we feel like we've got 53 starting players on this team," Tuck said. "That's a good situation."

A perfect situation, actually.

The Giants are very good and very deep.

All the better to withstand the inevitable injuries. They are in far better shape on defense with the infusion of free-agent talent brought in by general manager Jerry Reese.

As for any lingering tension involving new defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan, there is none. Umenyiora briefly walked out two weeks ago after being criticized by Sheridan; Sunday, he helped dunk the coach with Gatorade. The two embraced. Problems over.

And the offense? Clearly in transition after the departure of Burress and Toomer, the unit showed plenty of promise Sunday. Manning, who relied so heavily on Burress, spread the ball around well, completing at least three passes to four different receivers.

Manning's TD pass in the second quarter to Mario Manningham was a perfect example of how in sync things were. Manning audibled out of a run and threw quickly to his right to Manningham, who deked past defensive backs Fred Smoot and DeAngelo Hall down the sideline.

"We went into the check and just kind of improvised," Manning said. "It popped into my head, and he did a good job of seeing that."

But the offense managed only one TD to go with three field goals. In the end, the defense bailed it out. Again.

If this team is going to special -- and we think it can be -- then there will be plenty more defense in the months ahead.